The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun in Indianapolis

There’s no time like Christmas in Indianapolis, where you can’t help but feel the magic of the holiday season. From drive-thru Christmas light displays and performances of The Nutcracker to ice skating and train rides, there are SO many fun things for families this season!

Here are a few of our favorite holiday events, Christmas light displays, family-friendly activities, and beloved traditions this holiday season around Indianapolis.

The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun around Indianapolis

Best Family-Friendly Holiday Attraction

1. Festival of Trees | Nov 11-Jan 7
2. Christmas at the Zoo | Nov 19-Dec 30
3. Winterlights at Newfields | Nov 19-Jan 8
4. Jingle Rails | Nov. 19-Jan 16
5. A Merry Prairie Holiday | Nov. 25-Dec. 22 
6. Conservatory Crossing | Nov. 25-Dec. 31
7. Celebration Crossing – Nov. 25-Jan. 1 
8. Jolly Days Winter Wonderland | Nov. 25-Jan. 2,
9. Sullivan Express to the North Pole |Nov. 25-Dec. 23

   

    
10. Reindeer Ride Express | Nov. 19-23
11. The Polar Express: The IMAX 3D Experience | Nov. 28-Dec. 15

Best Christmas Light Displays

12. Nights of Lights | Nov 11-Jan 2
13. Christmas at the Zoo | Nov 19-Dec 30
14. A Merry Prairie Holiday | Nov. 25-Dec. 22

    

15. Magic of Lights at Ruoff Music Center | Nov 18-Dec 30
16. Downtown Indy Inc.’s Circle of Lights | Tree Lighting on Nov. 25
17. Dasher’s Lightshow | Nov. 25-Dec. 31
18. Winterlights at Newfields | Nov 19-Jan 8
19. The Holiday Stroll | Nov. 25-Dec. 23
20. Nights of Lights at Mounds State Park| Fri-Sun in December & Jan 1
21. The Lighted Trail | Dec. 3-31

The Best of the Holiday

21. The Best Christmas Tree Farms Near Indianapolis
22. Where to Have Breakfast with Santa Around Indy
23. 7 Local Indy Bakers Making Hot Cocoa Bombs This Season
24. Santa Mailboxes: Where to Mail a Letter to Santa in Indianapolis
25. 10 Cool Local Toy Stores in Indianapolis
26. Where to Meet Santa’s Reindeer in Indianapolis and around Indiana 
27. Where to see the Nutcracker Ballet in Indianapolis
28. The Best Indoor & Outdoor Ice Skating
29. The Best Places to see Christmas Lights in Indianapolis
30. 7 Best Holiday Train Rides in Indiana

Holiday Markets & Christkindlmarkts

31. Christmas Gift & Hobby Show | Nov. 9-13
32. Heritage Farm Artisan Christmas Market | Nov. 11-12
33. St. Luke’s Holiday Bazaar | Nov. 12
34. Junior League Holiday Mart | Nov. 17 | 20
35. Carmel Christkindlmarkt – Nov. 19 -Dec. 30

    

36. Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt – Nov. 25 -Dec. 18
37. Holiday Village and Market | Nov. 27
38. Holiday Author Fair | Dec. 3
39. Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt – Dec. 3

Holiday Performances

40. AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration | Hilbert Circle Theatre | Dec. 2-23

    

41. Peanut Butter & Jam: Holiday Cabaret on Strings | The Studio Theater at The Center for the Performing Arts |  Dec. 10
42. Charles Dickens’ a Christmas Carol | Indiana Repertory Theatre | Nov.19-Dec.24
43. It’s a Wonderful Life | Beef & Boards | Nov. 25-Dec. 23
44. A Christmas Carol | Beef & Boards | Dec. 2-20
45. The Snow Queen | The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis | Nov. 25-Jan. 1

Outdoor Ice Skating

46. Penguin Park at Washington Township Park (Synthetic Ice Rink) | Nov. 11-Feb. 26
47. The Ice at Center Green | Nov. 19-Feb. 26

    

48. Ice Rink at Holliday Park | Nov. 25-Jan. 29
49. Lawrence Civic Plaza | Nov. 26-Dec. 29
50. Winterfest at Mulberry Fields Park | Dec. 9-Jan. 9
51. Federal Hill Commons Ice Plaza | Dec. 9-Jan. 2

Free Holiday Events

52. Christmas in Pendleton | Nov. 12
53. The Nutcracker Storytime with Central Indiana Dance Ensemble | Nov. 22
54. Christmas in the Village: Parade Day | Nov. 26
55. Circle of Lights | Nov. 25

    
56. Fishers Winter Wonderland | Dec. 3
57. Victorian Christmas Celebration | Dec. 3
58. Fortville Winterfest | Dec. 3
59. Holiday in the Arts District | Dec. 3
60. Westfield in Lights | Dec. 3

    

61. Cumberland Weihnachtsmarkt | Dec. 3
62. Broad Ripple Lights Up Holiday Festival and Parade | Dec. 4
63. Meet Santa’s Reindeer | Dec. 3, 10, 17

    

64. Christmas Express at Brookside | Dec. 10
65. Holidays Around the World | Dec. 10
66. Holly Jolly Jamboree | Dec. 10
67. Santa’s Workshop | Dec. 10 
68. Franklin Holiday Lighting | Dec. 10

    

69. Visit Santa at Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library | Dec. 12
70. Reindeer on Main | Dec. 17
71. Christmas Under the Stars
72. Christmas Eve Luminaries | Dec. 24
73. FREE Admission to The Children’s Museum Christmas Eve | Dec. 24